South Africa's Ottniel Baartman (centre) has an outside chance of making it to the Champions TrophyTIMOTHY A. CLARY / AFP)
Obakeng Meletse
Anrich Nortje’s unfortunate injury with the ICC Champions Trophy less than a month away has thrown a spanner in the works.
In the face of uncertainty, the tough decision that awaits the Proteas coach Rob Walter could pave the way for one of South Africa’s brightest fast bowling talents.
The tournament is set to get under way in just over a month with South Africa kicking things off against Afghanistan at the National Stadium in Karachi.
The Proteas will next face Australia and complete their round-robin matches against former champions England.
Here we look at the possible replacements for Nortje.
Gerald Coetzee
The Joburg Super Kings fast bowler is the favourite to replace Nortje, more so after coach Walter confirmed that it came down to the pair of them when the squad was selected.
The 24-year-old has already represented South Africa at a major tournament and he was also part of the Proteas squad that reached the final of the 2024 T20 World Cup.
His efforts at the 2023 50-over World Cup give him the edge, as he performed in conditions almost similar to those they will encounter in Pakistan.
Coetzee picked up an impressive 20 wickets in the eight matches he played at an average of 6.23 to finish fourth overall as the Proteas were knocked out at the semifinals following a three-wicket loss to Australia.
The right-arm quick bowler has recently made a return to action for the Joburg-based side after his recovery from a muscle strain right groin injury that he suffered during the Test series against Sri Lanka in November.
This week he has been sidelined due to a hamstring issue, casting doubt over his immediate availability.
Fitness between now and the start of the tournament could be the only thing standing between him and a place on the team.
Ottniel Baartman
The 31-year-old made a name for himself in the first two editions of the ongoing SA20 tournament and he has since gone on to make his debut for the national team in the T20 and ODI formats in 2024.
Baartman has recently returned to action for the Sunrisers Eastern Cape after injury ruled him out of action for the start of the tournament.
The right-arm quick bowler has been on the rise for the past two years but he missed out on selection in the final two ODI’s in the recently concluded tour against Pakistan, making it difficult to see how he will be considered.
He will have an outside chance, though, he sithex wickets he has picked up in the four matches he has played could work in his favour.
Kwena Maphaka
The 2024 under-19 World Cup birthed the teenage sensation that is seen by many as the future of South African cricket.
At the tender age of 18, Maphaka has had the honour of playing in the Indian Premier League for the Mumbai Indians and made his debut for the Proteas in all three forms of the game, including a New Year Test match at the Newlands Cricket Ground, where he picked up the prized wicket of Babar Azam to open his wicket count.
Experience could be a big factor in the youngster being selected but it could also be something that works in his favor, as he could be heading to a tournament mentally free of previous disappointment from previous ICC tournaments.